What does just-in-sequence mean?

Just-in-sequence (JIS) is a specialized logistics strategy in which products or components are not only delivered just-in-time, i.e., at exactly the right time, but also in the exact order in which they are needed in the production process. This process thus supplements the classic just-in-time principle with additional fine-tuning in terms of time and quantity along the production chain.

How it works

In just-in-sequence, the required parts are delivered in such a way that they arrive in the correct order immediately before assembly. This makes it possible to bring the components directly into production without additional intermediate storage. The logistics systems must be closely linked to the production plans in order to avoid deviations and delays.

Areas of application

Just-in-sequence is used in particular in the automotive industry, where complex assembly lines require components of different variants in a precisely specified sequence. However, JIS is also used in other industries with sequential production and a wide range of variants in order to minimize storage costs and increase efficiency.

Advantages

• Reduction in required storage space
• Shorter throughput times
• Increased production speed through seamless parts supply
• Improved transparency through close integration of logistics and production
• Cost savings through less handling

Difference to just-in-time

While the just-in-time concept focuses primarily on on-time delivery, the just-in-sequence concept also attaches great importance to the exact order of delivery. JIS is thus a further development and supplement to the JIT concept and is particularly useful for complex assembly processes.